The Japanese island of Shikoku: a land of shrines and natural wonders

Shikoku is not only the smallest Japanese island of the four main islands, but also the least visited. However, for those who passionately love nature, a relaxed atmosphere, want to penetrate the true culture of the country, a trip there will bring incomparable pleasure. With a pleasant climate, amazingly beautiful mountains, winding rivers among green landscapes, narrow paths paving their way among the strange gorges, numerous onsen, ancient shrines and feudal castles of Shikoku - truly, this is one of the best places in Japan. The coast is dotted with numerous small ports and fishing villages, as well as salt collection sites. In the interior, you can see small mountains and farms located on gentle hills.

This Japanese island is primarily known for the pilgrimage route "Shikoku Dzünray", which includes a chain of 88 temples associated with a major religious figure and the founder of the Shingon school Buddhist monk Kukai. In addition, there are more than 200 "unofficial" temples that pilgrims ("henro") visit every year according to a certain order.

Among the popular attractions of Shikoku are the Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, the museum of the famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi in Muratyo, the sex museum in Uwajima, the ancient castles in Marugame, Matsuyama. It is necessary to see long-tailed cocks (onagadori) in Kochi. This breed is defined by the national government as a special national asset.

Despite the fact that Shikoku is the least visited Japanese island, Ritsurin Cohen is recognized as one of the best historic gardens in the country. On the territory there is a house for a tea ceremony, an exhibition of art crafts exhibits. There are also various products for sale. Founded in the seventeenth century, it is an excellent example of a landscape garden for walking.

The Japanese island of Shikoku covers four prefectures (Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi and Ehime). Until 1988, you could get to it only by ferry. Today, there are three bridges linking it to Honshu (although many recognize that the ferry remains the best way to reach many points). There is no international airport, but in four regional ones (in Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kochi and Matsuyama) flights to Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and other cities of the country are carried out. Also served flights to Seoul (South Korea), Hainan (tropical island in China), there are international charter flights.

The main attraction of the city of Tokushima (the capital of the eponymous prefecture) is Ava Odori - a dance festival that is part of the O-Bon and is held in mid-August. The largest in Japan, it collects every year more than 1.3 million tourists from all over the world. Dancers are grouped in groups called "Ren", as a rule, each includes up to several dozen people. They march through the streets, playing simple songs to the music of shamisen, shakuhachi, drums, bells.

Shikoku promises to tourists and a wonderful beach holiday in Japan. But especially the coast there attracts surfers. The best places are Ikumi, Shirahama, Tokushima. Koti is the center of island surfing.